diff --git a/macosx/ImageBackgroundView.m b/macosx/ImageBackgroundView.m
index 2b04f98bf..1767a52eb 100644
--- a/macosx/ImageBackgroundView.m
+++ b/macosx/ImageBackgroundView.m
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@
 
 - (void) dealloc
 {
-    [fBackgroundColor release];
+    if (fBackgroundColor)
+        [fBackgroundColor release];
     [super dealloc];
 }